Blackburn owners: We let Jones go because we feared harming his career by fighting a legal battle

The owners of Blackburn Rovers claim
they were ready to take Manchester United to a disciplinary tribunal
over the transfer of England Under-21 defender Phil Jones but backed
down for fear of damaging the teenager's career.

Anuradha Desai, the Indian
businesswoman who heads the Venkys conglomerate which owns Rovers, has
written to the Premier League to express concern that United may have
spoken to Jones's agent about a move to Old Trafford before Rovers had
given them permission to do so.

Blackburn's letter, which was
received by the Premier League on Friday, is not a formal request for an
investigation or an official complaint over United's conduct.

Prize asset: Phil Jones tussles with Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas (left)

Nor will it affect 19-year-old Jones's move to Old Trafford, which had looked to be in serious doubt after Liverpool made it known they would pay up to £22million for the defender.

But Desai said: 'We have reasons to believe that the player's agent and maybe the player had been in touch [with United] for two to three months before permission was granted.

'I was ready to take Manchester United on, ready to go to a tribunal if that's what it led to. But we spoke at length to [Blackburn manager] Steve Kean and we knew Phil wanted to go to United.

Star man: Phil Jones after an England Under-21 game)

'We concluded that the person who would be most damaged by a delay and legal action was Phil. That wasn't fair on him. There was a release clause for £16.5m and the total deal was £4m more with the add-ons. We wish Phil well.'

Kean flew to India eight days ago for talks about Jones.

Desai, her co-owner brothers and the family's lawyers discussed the practicalities of making a formal complaint to the Premier League under section K of their rules, which governs unauthorised contact between players and clubs. But they stopped short of pursuing that course.

'I don't actually mind that a player or his agent talks to another club. My personal opinion is anyone should be free to explore their professional options and deal with contractual issues as necessary.

'But there are a set of rules that are meant to prevent a contracted player or any representative talking to other clubs without permission. So I don't know why they are there if they cannot be policed and enforced effectively.

And if United subsequently sell Jones, Blackburn could earn further millions, over and above that sum through a 20 per cent sell-on clause.

Jones is due to play tonight for Stuart Pearce's England youngsters against the Czech Republic in a game the English must win to progress to the latter stages of the European Under-21 championship.

Manchester United said: 'We had the appropriate permissions to speak to Phil Jones.'

Asked to clarify whether permission had arrived before contact was first made - and who had given the permission - a United spokesman said: 'We have nothing further to add.'

Jones's agent, John Colquhoun, of Key Sports Management, said: 'I won't be commenting on the confidential process that was undertaken. Everyone is telling me they're happy with what went on so, unless I hear different and unless I've got questions to answer, I don't feel I have to comment.'

Desai's next challenge will be to keep Jones's fellow defender, Chris Samba, at the club. Arsenal have already tabled at least one offer.

'We don't want to let Chris go,' said Desai. 'I'm confident that we can keep him and I hope he'll stay.

'I know he has an ambition to play for Arsenal but I hope we can keep him for another year at least and prove our own ambition.'